Yes, in most cases it is safe to drive.  A check engine light can mean several things.  The check engine light coming on is much like a security alarm in an office building.  The same alarm goes off and the same warning lights flash whenever security is breached. Which floor, which door or why the alarm is sounding has to be investigated by security personnel before they can decide what to do.  The same basic concept applies to the check engine light.  Always check to make sure that the gas cap is tight as this is a common reason for the light to come on.  If it persists, contact our service department.

My brake light on the dashboard is lit.  Is my vehicle safe to drive?
 
Yes.  The reason the light is on is because the brakes are wearing and the brake fluid in the resevoir is low.  It is best to schedule an appointment to check the wear of the brakes. As long as the brakes are not grinding, the vehicle should be safe to drive.

Sometimes while the engine is running, the engine idle speed will fluctuate.  Why does this happen?
 
If your heater mode control is selected to the defrost position, the vehicle is designed to activate the air conditioning compressor which acts as a dehumidifier to clear the inside of the windows quickly.  As the compressor cycles on and off the idle will react accordingly.  This is a normal condition.
At times when at a traffic light or when stopped I get a feeling that the brake pedal will sink down towards the floor. 

Is this dangerous?
 
The brake system operates on engine vacuum for their power assist.  As the idle fluctuates you may experience this condition.

 

 

When the steering wheel is pulled to the "lock" position after removing the ignition key, there is often pressure on the mechanism inside the steering column which also locks the ignition.  You must relieve the pressure off of the mechanism by turning the steering wheel slightly either right or left while simultaneously turning the key in the ignition.  This is normal.

My power windows (except the drivers) all of a sudden stopped working.  How could they all stop working at the same time? This is a very common occurrence.  Many people are unaware that Honda vehicles are equipped with a window lockout switch located at the master window control switch on the driver’s door.  If the lockout switch is inadvertently depressed, this will cause the passenger front and both rear door window switches to stop functioning.  Simply push the lockout button and the windows will function normally.  This feature is primarily used for child safety.

Why can my rear doors only open from the outside, they will not open from the inside?

 

This is because your Honda is equipped with rear door child-protectors.  This feature allows you to lock a rear door so it can be opened from the outside only.  This feature is recommended whenever small children are in the vehicle.

 

This is because the condensation that builds up in your air conditioning system needs a place to drain.  The drain hose is located under the passenger front dash and runs through the floor allowing the condensation to drain.

 

If an audio unit with theft protection is disconnected from electrical power, you must enter a unique code into the unit or it will not work.  This code and the audio unit's serial number are listed on the anti-theft ID card that comes with the vehicle.  If this card is lost, you must obtain the audio unit serial number in order to get the radio code.  Once you have the audio unit serial number, you can go to the Radio & Navigation System Micro-site to retrieve your radio code.  Some newer vehicles allow you to retrieve the audio unit serial number electronically from the radio.  Refer to your owner's manual for the specific procedure.  Most older vehicles (model year 2003 and older) require a visit to the dealer in order to retrieve the audio unit serial number.  If dealer assistance is required to retrieve your serial number, the dealer will be able to provide the radio code as well.

 

There are many variables that determine how often an oil change is needed (climate, drive time, highway or city street driving, etc.).  You should refer to the Scheduled Maintenance section in the appropriate owner's manual for specific information or contact our service department.   Many new models include a maintenance minder that will automatically notify you when an oil change is due.

 

Depending on the model year of the vehicle, it is typically between 60,000 and 90,000 miles.  If your vehicle has a timing chain, instead of a timing belt, replacement of the timing chain is not required.  Refer to the Scheduled Maintenance section of the appropriate owner's manual for specific information or contact our service department.

 

A hard reset (complete power off) to the device should resolve this problem.  To perform a hard reset, hold the home button (below the screen) and the stand-by button (on the top) until the device reboots (ignore the "slide to power off" and wait until the Apple logo appears).

 

As described in some owner's manuals, the squealing noise is caused by high-frequency vibration of the brake pads against the rotating brake disc.  Vibration is the unavoidable result of friction generated by the pads as the caliper clamps them against the rotating disc.  Under average braking conditions, some brake noise is normal and cannot be eliminated.

 

Normally, the shims and the high-temperature grease between the pads and the brake caliper dampen and isolate most of the vibration.  The level of vibration, however, is affected by outside temperature and humidity, by road conditions (mud, dust, and road salt), and by the condition or thickness of the brake pad material.

 

If the squealing noise is abnormally loud, have the brakes inspected and checked for pad wear.

 

On models with a compact anti-lock brake system (ABS) unit, the vehicle's ABS emits a brief grunt or groan when it does a self-check.  The self-check occurs when a vehicle is backed up or driven forward after being started.  The groaning noise associated with the ABS self-check is a normal characteristic; it doesn't mean there is a problem with the ABS.

 

Honda does not recommend modifying the vehicle in any manner, including changing the original tire size or the suspension.  Honda vehicles meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards when they are originally distributed, and modification could affect the safety and/or operation of the vehicle, as well as remove it from compliance with specifications and standards mandated by the Federal Government.  As with any modification, if a failure occurs on the vehicle that can be attributed to the modification, the warranty on the affected components may be voided.

 

This is a normal characteristic and is caused by variations in the electrical system created by the onboard computer.  The computer controls the output of the electrical charging system to improve fuel economy and minimize vehicle vibration.

 

While the engine is at idle, the computer monitors the electrical usage of the car and then controls the electrical charging system so that it charges just enough to keep up with demand.  This change reduces the load on the engine and, in turn, increases fuel economy and reduces vehicle vibration.  As electrical accessories turn on and off, the computer changes the rate of electrical charge in response to the changes in demand for electricity.  As the computer responds to the addition of electrical load, you may notice a momentary dimming of the lights.  For example, the headlights or instrument panel lights may briefly dim as the air conditioning cycles on.